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Week four of the NFL preseason is vastly different than the previous three. We must take into account that almost ALL starters will NOT be playing this week. That in mind, we want to target players who are in position battles. Typically we’ll be looking at 3rd and 4th string RB’s, 5th and 6th string WR’s. This is a massive slate for preseason, with 15 games to cover. I will do my best to highlight players to consider and mention a few top plays. It will be imperative to watch beat reports on last minute in-actives. It’s going to be very hectic today, but there’s a good chance we can identify stronger plays closer to lock.

Quarterback:

Paxton Lynch: Although chalky, Gary Kubiak has come out and said he plans on playing Lynch the entirety of Thursday’s game. Any QB that will be playing four quarters today is in play.Also consider: Jameill Showers, Brandon Allen, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Webb, and Joe Callahan.

Entering week three of NFL preseason, we should fully expect starters to play at least one full half of football. In some cases, starters will venture into the third quarter of games. In this article I’ll hone in on each teams starting players for Fridays slate.

BUF @ WAS 6:30p

Buffalo

LeSean McCoy, RB – Shaping up to be the Bills workhorse back, we could see McCoy play the first half here.

Washington

Rob Kelley, RB – Matt Jones injury and lack of depth catapulted Kelley into a starting role this week. Making him an elite RB play for today’s slate. Would be wise to have major exposure.

NE @ CAR 6:30p

New England

Martellus Bennett, TE – With Rob Gronkowski not expected to play, Bennett makes for an exceptional play Friday night.

Carolina

Cam Newton, QB – Newton is expected to play into the third quarter of Fridays game, making him the chalk QB for this slate. This is not something you should try fading, use him with confidence today.

CLE @ TB 7:00p

Cleveland

Josh Gordon, WR – Gordon making his preseason debut today against the Buccaneers. Should be exciting to see if he’s still got it after all that grass he’s smoked.

Tampa Bay

Mike Evans, WR – Evans has been roasting the Browns secondary this week in joint practices. Would fully expect him to do the same Friday night. He is my top WR play for the slate.

PIT @ NO 7:00p

Pittsburgh

Eli Rogers, WR – Most won’t know this, but Rogers is expected to win the starting slot WR job for the Steelers. He’s the only play I can get behind from Pitt this week.

New Orleans

Brandin Cooks, WR – Cooks was a healthy scratch for last weeks game. Hoping that’s indication he will play a good deal today.

GB @ SF 9:00p

I do not expect Green Bay to play their starters for more than a few series in this game. That in mind, I think you can dial up GB D/ST this week against a leaky 49ers QB core.

San Francisco

Carlos Hyde, RB – Showing flashes of brilliance last season, I’m excited to see an extended look at Hyde Friday. Could see his re-draft ADP rise or fall, following this game.

Entering week two of NFL pre-season, we need to be aware of the subtle changes that will take place. Varying from team to team, starters will see increased reps this week. Typically we’re not at the point of rostering many but it could warrant a few sprinkles. That being said, lets dig into week 2.

PHI @ PIT 6:00p

Weather worth monitoring, chance of rain and isolated thunder storms.

Philadelphia

Chase Daniels, QB – With Wentz going down with injury and Bradford barely playing last week, we should get a hefty look at Daniels. Although his current weapons could be amusing there is one WR I like.

Paul Turner, WR – Tuner had the most targets (7) by any WR last week and produced six receptions for 34 yards. With Philly situation at wide out he’s worth firing up.

Pittsburgh

Daryl Richardson, RB – Had a very productive first week, with 13 touches for 60 combined yards. With only Bell and Williams ahead on the depth chart, expect his workload to stay the same or increase.

CIN @ DET 6:30p

Cincinnati

Tyler Boyd, WR – Sign me up for some Boyd this week! With LaFell sidelined, Boyd played 40% of the teams snaps and had one catch for 40 yards. He is slated to be the starting slot WR for the Bengals and I fully expect his reps to increase the next two games.

Detroit

Zach Zenner, RB – Clearly ahead of Stevan Ridley, he’s in control of his own destiny. Zenner will continue to get work in the Lions power-back role.

Cole Wick, TE – With injuries piling up for Detroit Wick has stepped into the top tight end role. The Lions have to get him reps, to make sure they don’t need a replacement.

ATL @ CLE 7:00p

Atlanta

Aldrick Robinson, WR – Should be a popular play, after showcasing his deep speed and long ball ability.

Cleveland

One team I’d expect starters to play longer.

Robert Griffin III, QB – He’s worth a look due to volume, but genuinely does not excite me.

Terrelle Pryor, WR – With Corey Coleman and Josh Gordon not expected to suit up, that leaves Pryor as RGIII’s top option.

CHI @ NE 7:00p

Chicago

Josh Bellamy, WR – Coming of a 5 target game playing almost 70% of snaps, I would expect his role to be safe this week.

Kevin White, WR – Really didn’t do much last week. Must get worked in by Chicago more each week moving forward. He has to be ready for the Bears week one.

New England

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB – Should be major chalk Thursday. In this game last year he accounted for 33 pass attempts. Facing similar circumstances, his attempts should be close to those numbers.

Tyler Gaffney, RB – Was a lock for me last week. New England wants to see what they’ve waited on for the previous two seasons.

Aaron Dobson, WR – Although Malcolm Mitchell returned to practice this week (after that gruesome elbow injury), I can’t see him playing. If he’s out, than Dobson makes for a exceptional play after seeing 66% of snaps last week.

Patriots DST, – Denver destroyed Chicago last Thursday. It will attest to how dominate the Broncos defense is, or how bad the Bears OL will be.

OAK @ GB 7:00p

Oakland

Deandre Washington, RB – Many will flock to George Atkinson, after he sparked off two long runs for touchdowns. However my moneys on Washington. Very effective with his opportunities compiling 75 yards on nine touches last Friday. Workload should increase as he makes a bid for the third down role.

Green Bay

Brett Hundley, QB – Should be the man this week! Aaron Rodgers shouldn’t play until week 3 and the Packers already saw the camp arms last week.

Jared Abbrederis, WR – Might be the player I’m most excited to see this week. It’s a homer pick for sure, but he has made a lot of noise thus far in camp. With Janis out of the picture, Green Bay needs an extended look at Abbrederis Thursday.

MIN @ SEA

Minnesota

Jerick Mckinnon, RB – In this game last year he piled up 15 touches. Makes sense he sees similar results this Thursday.

Laquan Treadwell, WR – Treadwell had four receptions for 41 yards in Friday’s preseason game. Much like Tyler Boyd, I expect these early round rookies to continue to see increased work.

Seattle

Christine Michael, RB – In play again this week, coming of a strong performance against the Chiefs. Question is how many snaps he’ll play in this one.

Football is finally back, FINALLY! Today we’re going to dig into the last slate of week 1. Slightly smaller than the first two days of pre-season, with only 4 games on tap. Let’s get it.

SEA @ KC 3:30p

Seattle

Mostly fading Seattle in this one. The Seahawks are really hurting overall with depth at several key positons.

Christine Michael, RB – C Mike is the only real play I would consider from Seattle. Has looked great in camp thus far, and could have a decent run in this one.

Kansas City

Knile Davis, RB – Could get an extended look this afternoon, with the top three RB’s already entrenched on the roster.

Darrin Reaves, RB – Good chance he closes out the game. Which could mean two solid quarters vs a beat up Seattle defense.

Tyreek Hill, WR – My top wide out on the slate and favorite overall play. Has been a star in camp, getting rave reviews from coaches and beat writers. PLAY HIM!

Chiefs DST, – Already mentioned Seattle is banged and bruised, but I didn’t mention how awful Trevone Boykin has looked in camp. When I look for a DST in pre-season I first evaluate the back up QB position and go from there. This accompanied by Seattle playing safety’s at WR this week, makes for an exceptional defensive play.

IND @ BUF 6:00p

Weather permitting these are my plays.

Indianapolis

Scott Tolzien, QB – Indianapolis looking to replace retired Matt Hasselbeck, need a solid look at Tolzien. Playing vs a banged up Bill’s D, I would expect him to get at least two full quarters of play.

Josh Ferguson, RB – Listed fourth on the depth chart, I would expect the rookie to get a long look tonight. Throughout camp he has consistently shown flashes of what could be a great third down back.

Quan Bray, WR – Since Brain Tyms was placed on IR, Bray has been making a case for himself as the Fourth or fifth WR.

Buffalo

Tyrod Taylor, QB – Just off a major pay day, Taylor could be sneaky here. I would only expect one quarter, but with his mobility he can produce in a hurry.

Jonathan Williams, RB – With Karlos Williams on SUS for the first four games, Jonathan could cement his role as the No 2 back.

DAL @ LA 7:00p

Dallas

Dak Prescott, QB – Jerry Jones smiling for a chance to watch HIS back up QB today. Will there be a sudden urgency to find a replacement QB after this game?

Darius Jackson, RB – The nuts at RB today. Dallas has no depth right now at RB, so you should play this guy.

Los Angeles

Jarred Goff, QB – Top overall selection in this years draft. Jeff Fisher might ease him in here, and give
Case Keenum the start. Still I would expect Goff to get some run.

Mike Thomas, WR – Underrated wide out from Southern Miss. Look for him to make some noise with the reps he’ll receive in this one.

He retired from the NFL. He gave away most of his stuff. Now, former Tampa Bay Bucs offensive lineman Joe Hawley is traveling around the country in a tricked-out van, trying to fill the void that football left behind.